Dalton murder trial postponed

Published: Monday, November 4, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.

Last Modified: Monday, November 4, 2013 at 5:30 p.m.

A murder trial for Melissa Amber Dalton, accused of stabbing a man to death after reportedly forcing her way into his Brevard apartment in 2009, has been continued due to a scheduling conflict.

The trial was set to start Monday, but a judge ordered it to be postponed when an adequate courtroom to accommodate a jury could not be found. District Attorney Greg Newman said they offered to host the trial in Henderson County after selecting a jury in Transylvania County, but the defense declined.

A new date for the trial has not been set.

Dalton is charged with the first-degree murder of Richard Holden and the assault of Naomi Barker at the couple’s Unity Drive apartment in Brevard on Aug. 21, 2009. Police said Dalton forced her way into their home, allegedly stabbing Holden to death and wounding Barker in a search for money.

Their neighbors told the Times-News in 2009 that Barker was handicapped and restricted to a wheelchair at the time, while Holden had trouble walking after a recent stroke. Dalton lived across the street from the couple.

<p>A murder trial for Melissa Amber Dalton, accused of stabbing a man to death after reportedly forcing her way into his Brevard apartment in 2009, has been continued due to a scheduling conflict.</p><p>The trial was set to start Monday, but a judge ordered it to be postponed when an adequate courtroom to accommodate a jury could not be found. District Attorney Greg Newman said they offered to host the trial in Henderson County after selecting a jury in Transylvania County, but the defense declined.</p><p>A new date for the trial has not been set.</p><p>Dalton is charged with the first-degree murder of Richard Holden and the assault of Naomi Barker at the couple's Unity Drive apartment in Brevard on Aug. 21, 2009. Police said Dalton forced her way into their home, allegedly stabbing Holden to death and wounding Barker in a search for money. </p><p>Their neighbors told the Times-News in 2009 that Barker was handicapped and restricted to a wheelchair at the time, while Holden had trouble walking after a recent stroke. Dalton lived across the street from the couple.</p>